Actor Produces Billy Joe Shaver Documentary

A documentary on singer-songwriter Billy Joe Shaver is being produced by Academy Award winning actor Robert Duvall and partner Luciana Pedraza. “We went all over Texas and saw my kinfolks and my old English teacher, who’s 102 years old,” Shaver tells CMT.com. Shaver, who had an acting role in Duvall’s 1997 film The Apostle, recently completed filming Second Hand Lions, a new production starring Duvall, Michael Caine and Haley Joel Osmont. Tentatively set for release in June 2003, the documentary will have its first official screening in Texas, at least if a former first lady has her way. Referring to Duvall’s unexpected conversation, Shaver says, “Lady Bird Johnson called them up and said, ‘When the movie on Billy Joe Shaver comes out, I will introduce it. The premiere will be here in Austin, Texas.’” Shaver laughs, “What Lady Bird says, will happen.” 12/2/02